WILLEMSTAD – Opposition party MAN-PIN is sharply criticizing the government’s pension and tax policies, accusing the cabinet of unfair treatment toward Curaçao’s elderly while approving the cancellation of billions in tax debt.
The criticism follows the government’s announcement of a new AOV reform package and ongoing discussions about tax debt forgiveness, which MAN-PIN says reveal what it calls a double standard in fiscal policy.
According to the party, the government recently approved the cancellation of approximately 3.2 billion guilders in outstanding tax debts, while at the same time maintaining that there is not enough money to increase the state pension (AOV).
MAN-PIN argues that this contradiction raises serious questions about priorities.
The party says elderly citizens, many of whom depend entirely on their AOV pension, continue to face rising living costs without meaningful pension adjustments.
That, according to MAN-PIN, is putting increasing pressure on retirees’ purchasing power.
The criticism also focuses on the lack of AOV indexation.
Under the current legal framework, pension adjustments are linked to economic developments, but the government has argued that financial limitations make immediate increases difficult.
Earlier this week, the government confirmed that a new AOV law is being prepared for 2027, introducing a revised indexation formula tied to inflation and economic growth.
MAN-PIN says delaying those adjustments while simultaneously forgiving large tax debts sends the wrong message.
The party argues that AOV is not a political favor, but a legal right for pensioners.
According to MAN-PIN, the continued failure to adjust pensions could further deepen inequality, particularly among older residents already struggling with inflation and higher daily expenses.
The opposition party is now calling on the government to immediately comply with what it sees as its legal obligations and restore pension indexation retroactively from 2022.
The issue is likely to intensify in Curaçao Parliament as debate continues over pension reform, government finances and social protection for vulnerable groups.
With living costs rising and fuel prices increasing, the political pressure around AOV and public spending priorities appears set to grow in the coming weeks.